Stravaiging and Camping the Scottish Hills and Islands

Beinn na Cro – little effort for excellent views. September 2013

A relatively short time window with a not too hopeful weather forecast saw us leave our accommodation at Loch Duich and head for Skye – the sky looked blue that way.

As hoped there were a few breaks in the cloud and after a 10 minute natter on the approach to Broadford we decided on Beinn na Cro rather than Point of Sleat.

Things looked rather hopeful on the Torrin road – the Cuillin was tearing a hole in the cloud on its lee side.

Parked at NG 565 224 – space for a few cars. Headed about 75m on the right of way to Luib before heading upslope on the fenceline straight up Beinn na Cro. The route is easy – a faint path follows a grassier strip up the ridge to the summit without any rocky terrain.

Blaven looms very impressively.

The grasshoppers are around – looking like little bits of vegetation bouncing away from your steps through the heather.

You may strain your neck looking left ascending this way…..don’t worry, things will balance out in descent.

Although the view to Loch Slapin is also attractive:

About 1hr and 20 minutes of loafing brought up the summit – a bit cloudy:

Still – the views were there. The Skye Bridge and to the right, in the distance, Eilean Donan Castle:

We sat at the north side of the summit and enjoyed the views we’d lacked in ascent. This really is a superlative viewpoint – N Skye, Raasay and Applecross across the N, to the E an array of peaks we’ve climbed and camped on, to the S across to the Small Isles and to the W Blaven and Gillean.

N up to Storr and Raasay:

E to Bealach Bearnais over the delectable looking Bad a Chreamha and An Sgurr:

W to Blaven, Clach Ghlas, Garbh Bheinn, Belig and Gillean:

The Bridge:

NW to SW pano – so many places to spot:
Link to larger: ***********http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3675/9787404875_f4e809e069_o.jpg

More “must do” places too – Ben Tianvaig:

We sat around for 30 minutes and the returned by the ascent route. Happily the Small Isles, which had been obscured were now visible.

Eigg:

Past Muck to the Treshnish Isles:

Eigg and Rum:

Loch Slapin, Sleat and over to Ardnamurchan:

Crick that neck to the left:

Looking back at the ascent:

We still had some spare time so we drove out to Elgol. The Cuillin were a bit overcast so we drove to the transmitter on the Glasnakille road S from Elgol for the view over the sea.

Eigg and Muck:

The Cuillin:

Beinn na Cro is a superb viewpoint – just over an hour up is a bargain for these views. We bot thought a winter summit camp on this one would be a real treat.